Item holder having a self-adjusting air bladder system

ABSTRACT

An item holder includes a receiving well with an upper opening. First and second air bladders are disposed in the receiving well. Upper portions of outer casings of the air bladders are substantially flush with the upper opening of the receiving well when the air bladders are in an inflated condition. Also, the abutment portions abut one another along an abutment seam when the air bladders are in an inflated condition. A sensor may be sued to detect the receiving of an item in the receiving well. Valves assemblies are opened as the sensors detect an item being received in the receiving well. The item compresses a filler material disposed within the air bladders as the item is received in the receiving well. When the item is removed from the receiving well, the filler material expands to inflate the air bladders to the at-rest position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an item holder for a vehicleinterior, and more specifically, to an item holder having aself-adjusting air bladder system adapted to hold an item in a customfriction fit manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicle occupants are often seeking convenient locations within avehicle interior to place and retain beverage containers of varyingsizes, as well as other smaller personal items, such as pens, notepads,parking slips, cards, phones and other portable electronic devices. Incurrent vehicle interiors, these smaller personal items are usuallystored in a cup-holder or shallow open bin in a vehicle interior consolewhere they are insufficiently retained, and thus are subject to movingaround, vibrating, and making noise as the vehicle is driven andmaneuvered. Further, these items can be ejected from a small storage binor cup holder having an open top during the maneuvering of the vehicle.For beverage containers of varying sizes, it is difficult to have areceptacle that offers a one-size-fits-all solution. Thus, it isdesirable to provide an item holder in a dedicated location for storingand retaining small personal items and various size beverage containersin such a manner that the items are retained securely in-place whilemaneuvering a vehicle and conveniently located in close proximity to avehicle occupant for easy retrieval.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention includes an item holder having areceiving well with an upper opening. First and second air bladders aredisposed in the receiving well, and each of the air bladders includes anouter casing with an abutment portion and an upper portion. The upperportions of the outer casings are substantially flush with the upperopening of the receiving well when the air bladders are in an inflatedcondition. Also, the abutment portions abut one another along anabutment seam when the air bladders are in an inflated condition.

Another aspect of the present invention includes an item holder having areceiving well. One or more air bladders are disposed along opposedsidewalls of the receiving well. The air bladders inflate to an at-restposition to substantially fill the receiving well. A sensor is disposedalong an upper opening of the receiving well for sensing an item beingreceived in the receiving well. The air bladders deflate to a retractedposition as the item is received in the receiving well.

Yet another aspect of the present invention includes an item holderhaving an elongate receiving well with opposed and spaced-apart firstand second sides with a retaining area disposed therebetween. First andsecond air bladders are disposed on the first and second sides,respectively, wherein the first and second air bladders are configuredto inflate to an at-rest position substantially filling an upper openingof the retaining area. The first and second air bladders deflate to aretracted position to allow access to the retaining area. The first andsecond air bladders are configured to retain an item therebetween withinthe retaining area when the first and second air bladders are in theretracted position.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a vehicle interior having a centerconsole including multiple item holders;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the multiple item holders of FIG. 1 in anat-rest position;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the vehicle interior of FIG. 1showing the multiple item holders with a beverage container retainedtherein;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the vehicle interior of FIG. 1showing the multiple item holders with a portable electronic deviceretained therein;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of one of the item holders of FIG. 2taken at line VA;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional of one of the item holders of FIG. 3 takenat line VB with a beverage container retained therein;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a vehicle interior having a centerconsole including multiple item holders;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of an item holder in an at-restposition; and

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the item holder of FIG. 7A with aportable electronic device retained therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the reference numeral 10 generally designatesan item holder assembly disposed within a vehicle interior 12 of avehicle 11. The vehicle interior 12 includes a driver seat 14 and apassenger seat 16 with a console assembly 20 that is generally centrallydisposed between the driver seat 14 and the passenger seat 16. The itemholder assembly 10, as shown in FIG. 1, is centrally disposed on theconsole assembly 20 and includes first and second item holders 22, 24.The first and second item holders 22, 24 may be part of a modular unit,wherein the item holder assembly 10 includes one or more individual itemholders. The first and second item holders 22, 24 are contemplated to besubstantially similar in structure and design, such that the descriptionof one item holder 22 or 24 within this disclosure will implicitlydescribe features of the other, unless otherwise noted. In FIG. 1, thefirst and second item holders 22, 24 are shown in at-rest and unoccupiedconfigurations.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the first and second item holders 22, 24 areshown in unoccupied configurations. In the unoccupied configuration,both the first and second item holders 22, 24 are not retaining an itemtherein. This configuration may also be referred to as an at-restposition with respect to an air bladder system 30A and 30B included ineach item holder 22, 24. Each air bladder system 30A, 30B includes aplurality of air bladders which will be described with reference to airbladder system 30A alone. While air bladder system 30A is described, itis to be understood that the description of air bladder system 30A alsodescribes air bladder system 30B.

Each of the first and second item holders 22, 24 are shown disposedwithin a trim member 32 having an upper surface 34. It is contemplatedthat the first and second item holders 22, 24 can be removed from thecenter console assembly 20 by removing the trim article 32, or beremoving the individual item holders 22, 24 themselves. Each of thefirst and second item holders 22, 24 includes a receiving well 40 havingan upper opening 42 defined around an upper rim portion 44. Thereceiving wells 40 include retaining areas 46 which are configured toretain an item within the receiving wells 40. The retaining areas 46 aredefined by air bladders 36A-36D of the air bladder systems 30A, 30B.With specific reference to air bladders system 30A, the air bladders36A-36D include outer surfaces 38A-38D which generally define theparameters of the retaining area 46. With reference to air bladdersystem 30B, the air bladders 36A-36D include upper portions 39A-39D ofthe outer surfaces 38A-38D that are substantially flush with the upperopening 42 of the receiving well 40 while the air bladders 36A-36D arein an at-rest position. From the at-rest position shown in FIG. 2, theair bladders 36A-36D are configured to deflate to a retracted position(FIG. 3) as an item is received in the retaining area 46 of thereceiving well 40. In the at-rest position, the air bladders 36A-36Dprovide a clean aesthetic across the center console assembly 20 with theupper portions 39A-39D of the air bladders 36A-36D being substantiallyflush with the upper opening 42 of the receiving well 40, as well asbeing substantially flush with the upper surface 34 of trim article 32.While the air bladder system 30A, 30B are identified as having multipleair bladders 36A-36D, it is contemplated that a single air bladder maybe used with the present concept, wherein the single air bladderincludes a plurality of pockets that may be identified with referencenumeral 36A-36D. Thus, the first and second item holders 22, 24 mayinclude multiple air bladders or a single air bladder for retaining anitem therein.

For moving from the inflated condition or at-rest position to theretracted or deflated position, the air bladders 36A-36D must interactwith an item as received within the retaining area 46 of the receivingwell 40. One such interaction may include a sensor 50 or 52 shownassociated with the first and second item holders 22, 24, respectively.The sensor 50 is shown disposed on the trim article 32 adjacent thefirst item holder 22 and is contemplated to detect the reception of anitem within the receiving well 40 of the first item holder 22. Sensor 52is shown disposed on the upper opening 42 of the receiving well 40 ofthe second item holder 24 at the rim portion 44 thereof. Similarly, thesensor 52 is contemplated to detect or sense an item being received orremoved from the retaining area 46 of the receiving well 40 of thesecond item holder 24. While the sensors 50, 52 are shown disposed inthe positions illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, it iscontemplated that the sensors 50, 52 may be disposed on any portion ofthe first and second item holders 22, 24 or any article adjacentthereto, wherein the sensors 50, 52 can detect an item being received orremoved from the receiving wells 40 of the first and second item holders22, 24.

As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the sensors 50, 52 are communicativelycoupled to a controller 54 which is further coupled to an inflationsystem 56. The sensors 50, 52 shown in FIG. 2 are contemplated toinclude one of a light sensor or a proximity sensor disposed at or nearthe rim portion 44 of the item holders 22, 24. As noted above, thesensors 50, 52 may also be disposed in any location within or near theitem holders 22, 24 for properly sensing, or otherwise detecting, anobject being received in the receiving wells 40. It is contemplated thatany number of sensors can be used to provide the controller 54 with thenecessary signal information to properly control an inflation level ofthe air bladders 36A-36D using the inflation system 56. In thisembodiment, the inflation system 56 is operably coupled to thecontroller 54 and further coupled to the air bladders 36A-36D forcontrolling the inflation levels of the air bladders 36A-36D of bothitem holders 22, 24. Coupling of the air bladders 36A-36D is furtherdescribed below with reference to FIGS. 5A-5B.

As noted above, the sensors 50, 52 may be proximity sensors, which maybe in the form of capacitance sensors, ultrasonic transducers, radiofrequency transducers, optical transducers, magnetic sensors, infraredsensors, force/pressure sensors, or electromechanical sensors. It iscontemplated that the sensors 50, 52 may be integrated into orcommunicatively coupled to the air bladders 36A-36D to sense an amountof deflection of the air bladders 36A-36D as an item is received in thereceiving wells 40 of the item holders 22, 24. Thus, the sensors 50, 52are configured to detect the presence of an object received in, or beingreceived in, one of the first and second item holders 22, 24. The objectdetection information is sent to the controller 54 as an electronicsignal for processing. As further noted above, the sensors 50, 52 may belight sensors, which may be in the form of spectrophotometers or photodetectors which can provide a variety of information to the controller54. As light sensors, the sensors 50, 52 may be configured to detect thepresence of an object received in, being received in, or being removedfrom one of the first and second item holders 22, 24.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the first and second item holders 22, 24 areshown with an item disposed in the first item holder 22. The item shownin FIG. 3 is in the form of a beverage container 60. Thus, the seconditem holder 24 is in an at-rest position, wherein the air bladders36A-36D are inflated to a point at which the air bladders 36A-36Dgenerally fill the receiving well 40. In the at-rest position, the airbladders 36A-36D of the second item holder 24 have the upper portions39A-39D thereof substantially flush with the upper opening 42 of thereceiving well 40. In this way, the air bladders 36A-36D substantiallyfill the upper opening 42 of the receiving well 40 in the at-restposition. With the beverage container 60 disposed in the first itemholder 22, the air bladders 36A-36D of the first item holder 22 are in adeflated condition or a retracted position as opposed to the inflatedcondition or at-rest position of the air bladders 36A-36D of the seconditem holder 24. In the retracted position, the air bladders 36A-36D ofthe first item holder 22 are partially deflated to redefine the contoursof the retaining area 46, such that the beverage container 60 ispositively retained in the receiving well 40 of the first item holder 22by engagement with the air bladders 36A-36D thereof. It is contemplatedthat the air bladders 36A-36D provide a customized retaining area 46 forthe beverage container 60 and will also provide a customized retainingarea 46 for another beverage container that is larger or smaller thanthe beverage container 60 illustrated in FIG. 3. In this way, the itemholders 22, 24 of the present concept provide customized support andretention of items stored in the retaining areas 46 thereof, as furtherdescribed below.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the beverage container 60 iscontemplated to be sensed or detected by the sensor 50 as entering thereceiving well 40 of the first item holder 22. The sensor 50 isconfigured to send a signal to the controller 54 which may further senda signal to the inflation system 56 to initiate a deflation sequence ofthe air bladders 36A-36D from the at-rest position (FIG. 2) to theretracted position (FIG. 3), wherein the first item holder 22 canadequately retain and support the beverage container 60. It is furthercontemplated that the beverage container 60 can be used to impart aforce on the air bladders 36A-36D to allow for air to expel from aninterior cavity of the air bladders 36A-36D through a porous casing oran associated valve assembly, as further described below with referenceto FIGS. 5A-5B. When the beverage container 60 is removed from theretaining area 46, the sensor 50 is contemplated to detect this changeand send a signal to the controller 54 which further sends a signal tothe inflation system 56 to initiate an inflation sequence of the airbladders 36A-36D to inflate the air bladders 36A-36D to the at-restposition shown in conjunction with the air bladders 36A-36D of thesecond item holder 24 in FIG. 3. Further, it is contemplated that theair bladders 36A-36D can inflate to the at-rest position from theretracted position due to a resilient internal material disposed withinthe air bladders 36A-36D. The self-adjusting capability of the airbladders 36A-36D to resume the at-rest position from the retractedposition is further described below with reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 7A,7B. In this way, the upper portions 39A-39D of the outer casings of theair bladders 36A-36D are substantially flush with the upper opening 42of the receiving well 40 when the air bladders 36A-36D are returned tothe at-rest or inflated condition.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the first and second item holders 22, 24 areshown with an item disposed in the first item holder 22. The item shownin FIG. 4 is in the form of a portable electronic device 62, such as amobile phone. The second item holder 24 is in the at-rest position,wherein the air bladders 36A-36D are in an inflated condition. In theinflated condition, the air bladders 36A-36D of the second item holder24 are inflated to a point at which the air bladders 36A-36D generallyfill the receiving well 40. In the at-rest position, the air bladders36A-36D of the second item holder 24 have the upper portions 39A-39Dthereof substantially flush with the upper opening 42 of the receivingwell 40. In this way, the air bladders 36A-36D substantially fill theupper opening 42 of the receiving well 40 in the at-rest position. Withthe portable electronic device 62 disposed in the first item holder 22,the air bladders 36A-36D of the first item holder 22 are in a partiallydeflated condition or a retracted position as opposed to the inflatedcondition or at-rest position of the air bladders 36A-36D of the seconditem holder 24. In the retracted position, the air bladders 36A-36D ofthe first item holder 22 are partially deflated to redefine the contoursof the retaining area 46, such that the portable electronic device 62 ispositively retained in the receiving well 40 of the first item holder 22by engagement with the air bladders 36A-36D thereof. It is contemplatedthat the air bladders 36A-36D provide a customized retaining area 46 forthe portable electronic device 62 and will also provide a customizedretaining area 46 for another portable electronic device that is largeror smaller than the portable electronic device 62 illustrated in FIG. 4.In this way, the item holders 22, 24 of the present concept providecustomized support and retention of items stored in the retaining areas46 thereof, as further described below.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, the first item holder 22 is shown in theat-rest position, wherein the air bladders 36B and 36D are in a fullyinflated condition. Given the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5A, one ofordinary skill will appreciate that the other air bladders (36A and 36Cshown in FIG. 2) of the first item holder 22 will have similarcomponents and a similar configurations as the air bladders 36B and 36Dshown in FIG. 5A and described below. In the inflated condition, the airbladders 36B and 36D of the first item holder 22 are inflated to a pointat which the air bladders 36B and 36D (along with air bladders 36A and36C shown in FIG. 2) generally fill the receiving well 40. In theat-rest position, the air bladders 36B and 36D of the first item holder22 have the upper portions 39B and 39D thereof substantially flush withthe upper opening 42 of the receiving well 40. In this way, the airbladders 36B and 36D (along with air bladders 36A and 36C shown in FIG.2) substantially fill the upper opening 42 of the receiving well 40 inthe at-rest position. Further, the upper portions 39B and 39D of the airbladders 36B and 36D are also substantially flush with the upper surface34 of trim article 32.

With further reference to FIG. 5A, each of the air bladders 36B, 36Dincludes an outer casing 64 having an outer surface 66. Thus, the upperportions 39B, 39D of the air bladders 36B, 36D are defined by the outersurfaces 66 of the outer casing 64. As further shown in FIG. 5A, theouter casings 64 generally enclose interior cavities 68 of the airbladders 36B, 36D which are configured to fill with air to the at-restposition. As further shown in FIG. 5A, the air bladders 36B, 36D mayalso include a filler material 69 which may be a foam-like material,such as memory foam, or other like spacer material, such as a 3-Dprinted elastomeric matrix. The filler material 69 may be used tochannel air within the air bladders 36B, 36D to a valve assembly 74which may be in communication with ambient air, or may be incommunication with the inflation system 56 shown in FIG. 2. The valveassembly 74 is contemplated to provide air into and out of the airbladders 36B, 36D, such that the air moves through the valve assembly 74in the directions as indicated by arrows 76. Further, it is contemplatedthat the outer casings 64 may be porous outer casings that allows forexchange of air from the interior cavities 68 of the air bladders 36B,36D to the outside atmosphere under certain pressure conditions. Thus,it is contemplated that with the air bladders 36B, 36D in the inflatedcondition shown in FIG. 5A, air can be expelled from the air bladders36B, 36D when an item applies pressure to the outer casing 64 when theouter casing 64 is a porous outer casing, such that the air bladders36B, 36D can partially deflate to customize the parameters of theretaining area 46 disposed between the air bladders 36B, 36D forretaining the item within the receiving well 40. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 5A, the receiving well 40 includes a sidewall 70 and a bottomwall 72, wherein the valve assemblies 74 are disposed on the sidewall 70for communication with the air bladders 36B, 36D. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 5A, two valve assemblies 74 are shown, however, any numberof valve assemblies can be used with the present concept to provide theinflation and deflation capabilities of the air bladders 36B, 36D.

As further shown in FIG. 5A, the outer casings 64 include abutmentportions 78 which abut one another along an abutment seam 80 when theair bladders 36B, 36D are in the at-rest position, also known as theinflated condition. The abutment portions 78 of the outer casings 64 areconfigured to contact an item retained in the retaining area 46 toretain the item in the retaining area 46, as further described belowwith reference to FIG. 5B.

With further reference to FIG. 5A, the filler material 69 may fill theentirety of the interior cavity 68 of the air bladders 36B, 36D and mayalso be a resilient material that is operable between expanded andcompressed conditions. It is further contemplated that the fillermaterial 69 may be biased to the expanded condition, wherein the airbladders 36B, 36D would be fully inflated when the filler material 69 isin the expanded condition. The filler material 69 can move from theexpanded condition (FIG. 5A) to a compressed condition (FIG. 5B) as anitem is received in the receiving well 40. It is contemplated that thesensor 50 can detect an item entering the receiving well 40 to open thevalve assemblies 74 via a direct link between the sensor 50 and thevalve assemblies 74, or through the controller 54 (FIG. 2). With thevalve assemblies 74 open, the air bladders 36B, 36D can expel airthrough the valve assemblies 74 as the item enters the receiving well 40and as the filler material 69 moves from the expanded condition to thecompressed condition. As the filler material 69 moves from the expandedcondition to the compressed condition, air can be channeled out of theair bladders 36B, 36D through the valve assembly 74. The valve assembly74 can be operable between open and closed positions that could becontrolled by a controller, such as controller 54 shown in FIG. 2, whenan item is detected by the sensor 50. When an item is removed from thereceiving well 40, the sensor 50 can detect such a movement to send asignal to open the valve assembly 74 to allow air to enter the airbladders 36D, 36B to move the air bladders 36B, 36D from the retractedposition to the at-rest position shown in FIG. 5A, as the fillermaterial 69 moves from the compressed condition to the expandedcondition. In such a system, the air bladders 36B, 36D do not need aseparate inflation mechanism to inflate to the at-rest position from theretracted position given the internal and outwardly directed forces 69Aacting on the outer casing 64 by the filler material 69 as the fillermaterial 69 resiliently reassumes the expanded condition from thecompressed condition. The operation of the filler material 69 to bringabout changes in the overall condition of the air bladders 36B, 36D isfurther described below with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, the beverage container 60 is shown insertedinto the receiving well 40 of the first item holder 22. With thebeverage container 60 in the received position within the receiving well40, within the retaining area 46 thereof, the air bladders 36B, 36D havemoved from the at-rest position to the retracted position. In thisretracted position, the air bladders 36B, 36D have partially inflatedunder a pressure by the beverage container 60 as the beverage container60 enters the receiving well 40. Air expelled from the air bladders 36B,36D is contemplated to be directed through the valve assemblies 74 whichare contemplated to move to the open position when the sensor 50 detectsthe entry of the beverage container 60 into the receiving well 40. Asfurther shown in FIG. 5B, the filler material 69 is in a compressedcondition, wherein the filler material 69 is loaded and ready to move tothe expanded position, as biased thereto, when the beverage container 60is removed from the receiving well 40. When the beverage container 60 isremoved from the receiving well 40, the sensor 50 will detect such amovement and open the valve assemblies 74 to allow air to enter theinterior cavities 68 of the air bladders 36B, 36D, such that the airbladders 36B, 36D will move from the retracted position to the at-restposition under the outward pressure 69A exerted by the filler material69 on the outer casing 64 as the filler material 69 moves to theexpanded position. Thus, when the beverage container 60 is removed fromthe receiving well 40, the air bladders 36B, 36D will resume the at-restposition as shown in FIG. 5A without the need for a separate inflationsystem. In this way, air bladders 36B, 36D are said to beself-adjusting. When the filler material 69 is absent or not a resilientfiller material, the air bladders 36B, 36D can be inflated using aninflation system controlled by a controller, such as the controller 54and inflation system 56 shown in FIG. 2, to fill the air bladders 36B,36D using the valve assemblies 74.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a third item holder 26 is shown having firstand second air bladders 36A, 36B disposed within a receiving well 40A,wherein the receiving well 40A includes an upper opening 42A with asensor 50A disposed thereon. The first and second air bladders 36A, 36Bare shown abutting one another along an abutment seam 37. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 6, an item, in the form of a portableelectronic device 62, is shown received in the retaining area 46disposed between the first and second air bladders 36A, 36B. Thus, inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the first and second air bladders 36A,36B are contemplated to be in a retracted position, wherein an item 62is retained therebetween. The third item holder 26 is configured suchthat the receiving well 40A is an elongate receiving well having opposedsidewalls 70A, 70B. The first and second air bladders 36A, 36B aredisposed on the opposed sidewalls 70A, 70B, respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 7A, the cross sectional view of the third itemholder 26 is shown having air bladders 36A, 36B disposed on opposedsidewalls 70A, 70B of the receiving well 40A. The opposed sidewalls 70A,70B are further coupled together at bottom wall 72 of the receiving well40A. The first and second air bladders 36A, 36B are shown in theinflated condition or at-rest position, wherein the first and second airbladders 36A, 36B abut one another along the abutment seam 37 disposedbetween the air bladders 36A, 36B. The air bladders 36A, 36B of theembodiment of FIG. 7A are shown in a fully inflated condition, yet theair bladders 36A, 36B do not fill the entire receiving well 40A of thethird item holder 26. Thus, it is contemplated that the air bladders36A, 36B may be configured to substantially fill the receiving well 40Aor may partially fill the receiving well 40A when they are in the fullyinflated condition. For an item holder configured such as item holder26, the air bladders 36A, 36B need only partially fill the receivingwell 40A in the inflated or at-rest position for holding an item asfurther described below with reference to FIG. 7B. In a manner similarto the description above with reference to FIG. 5A, the air bladders36A, 36B include outer casings 64 having outer surfaces 66. The outercasings 64 are configured to seal an interior cavity 68 of the airbladders 36A, 36B. The air bladders 36A, 36B further include a fillermaterial 69 shown in a honeycomb shaped pattern which may be anelastomeric material or other polymeric material that is operablebetween expanded and compressed conditions. In FIG. 7A, the material isshown in an expanded condition to which the filler material 69 iscontemplated to be biased. As shown in FIG. 7A, the air bladders 36A,36B are in communication with valve assemblies 74 disposed on theopposed sidewalls 70A, 70B of the receiving well 40A. The fillermaterial 69 is contemplated to move to a compressed condition from theexpanded condition shown in FIG. 7A when an item is received in the itemholder 26. An item entering the item holder 26 is contemplated to bedetected by the sensor 50A disposed on the upper opening 42A of thereceiving well 40A. As specifically shown in FIG. 7A, the sensor 50Aincludes a zone of detection Z which is contemplated to detect an itembeing received in the receiving well 40A of the item holder 26. Bydetecting such an item entering the item holder 26, the sensor 50A cancause a signal to be directly sent to the valve assembly 74, or to acontroller, to open the valve assembly 74 to allow air to escapetherethrough as the item imparts a force on the air bladders 36A, 36B.As an item imparts a force on the air bladders 36A, 36B, the fillermaterial 69 will move from the expanded condition (FIG. 7A) to thecompressed condition (FIG. 7B). As the filler material 69 moves to thecompressed condition from the expanded condition, air is expelled fromthe interior cavities 68 of the air bladders 36A, 36B through the valveassemblies 74 in the direction as indicated by arrow 76.

Referring now to FIG. 7B, an item 62, in the form of a portableelectronic device, is shown received in the item holder 26 and retainedbetween the air bladders 36A, 36B, along abutment portions 78 thereof.The pressure of the item 62 entering the receiving wall 40A has causedthe filler material 69 to move from the expanded condition (FIG. 7A) tothe compressed condition (FIG. 7B). With the item 62 properly retainedin the item holder 26, it is contemplated that the valve assembly 74will move to a closed position to keep the inflation level of the airbladders 36A, 36B in a static condition for properly maintaining theretained position of the item 62. When the item 62 is removed from theitem holder 26, the sensor 50A will detect this movement and send asignal to open the valve assembly 74. With the valve assembly 74 open,the filler material 69 can move from the compressed condition (FIG. 7B)to the expanded condition (FIG. 7A) as the filler material iscontemplated to be flexibly resilient and biased to the expandedcondition. With the outer casings 64 providing for a sealed interiorcavity 68 of the air bladders 36A, 36B, the expansion of the fillermaterial 69 to the expanded condition from the compressed condition willdraw air into the interior cavities 68 of the air bladders 36A, 36Bthrough the open valve assembly 74. In this way, the air bladders 36A,36B are said to be self-adjusting. Further, it is contemplated that theouter casings 64 are flexible outer casings that may also be flexiblyresilient. The outer casings 64 may include a rubberized material thatcan deflect under the pressure of an item entering a receiving well, andresiliently spring back into the at-rest shape when the item is removed.Such an outer casing may resemble a rubberized material such as thatused on a racket ball.

Thus, the item holders 22, 24 and 26 of the present concept arecontemplated to provide aesthetically pleasing configurations with airbladders in an at-rest position being substantially flush with an upperopening of a receiving well of the respective item holders 22, 24, 26.The item holders are contemplated to receive any number of items thatcan fit within the receiving well and properly retain the same using theair bladders of the present concept. When the item is removed, the airbladders are configured to self-inflate to resume a position in whichthe receiving wells appear substantially full and flush with the upperopening thereof.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described disclosure and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims unless these claims by their language expressly stateotherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. An item holder, comprising: a receiving wellhaving an upper opening; and first and second air bladders disposed inthe receiving well, each of the air bladders including an outer casingwith an abutment portion and an upper portion, wherein the upperportions are substantially flush with the upper opening of the receivingwell and the abutment portions abut one another along an abutment seamwhen the air bladders are in an inflated condition.
 2. The item holderof claim 1, wherein the first and second air bladders are disposed onopposite sides of the receiving well.
 3. The item holder of claim 1,wherein the air bladders partially deflate to a deflated condition fromthe inflated condition when pressure is applied to the air bladders asan item is received in the receiving well.
 4. The item holder of claim3, including: a filler material disposed within interior cavities of thefirst and second air bladders, the filler material being operablebetween expanded and compressed conditions, wherein filler material isflexibly resilient and biased towards the expanded condition, andfurther wherein the first and second air bladders are in the inflatedcondition when the filler material is in the expanded condition.
 5. Theitem holder of claim 3, wherein the air bladders inflate to the inflatedcondition from the deflated condition when the item is removed from thereceiving well.
 6. The item holder of claim 1, wherein the item isretained in a retained position between the abutment portions of thefirst and second air bladders when received in the receiving well. 7.The item holder of claim 1, including: a sensor disposed adjacent to theupper opening, the sensor configured to sense an item entering thereceiving well and further configured to sense the item being removedfrom the receiving well.
 8. The item holder of claim 7, including: acontroller operably coupled to the sensor and an inflation system,wherein the controller initiates an inflation sequence of the inflationsystem to inflate the air bladders to the inflated condition when thesensor senses the item being removed from the receiving well.
 9. An itemholder, comprising a receiving well; one or more air bladders disposedalong opposed sidewalls of the receiving well, wherein the air bladdersinflate to an at-rest position to substantially fill the receiving well;and a sensor disposed along an upper opening of the receiving well forsensing an item being received in the receiving well, wherein the airbladders deflate to a retracted position as the item is received in thereceiving well.
 10. The item holder of claim 9, wherein the air bladdersinflate to the at-rest position from the retracted position when theitem is removed from the receiving well.
 11. The item holder of claim 9,wherein each of the one or more air bladders include an outer casingwith an abutment portion and an upper portion.
 12. The item holder ofclaim 11, wherein the item is retained between the abutment portions ofthe one or more air bladders when the item is received in the receivingwell.
 13. The item holder of claim 12, wherein the upper portions of theone or more air bladders are substantially flush with the upper openingof the receiving well when the air bladders are in the at-rest position.14. The item holder of claim 13, including: one or more valve assembliesin communication with interior cavities of each of the air bladders. 15.The item holder of claim 14, wherein the one or more valve assembliesare operable between open and closed positions.
 16. The item holder ofclaim 15, wherein the one or more valve assemblies move to the openposition as the sensor detects an item being received in the receivingwell or as the sensor detects an item being removed from in thereceiving well.
 17. An item holder comprising: an elongate receivingwell having opposed and spaced-apart first and second sides with aretaining area disposed therebetween; first and second air bladdersdisposed on the first and second sides, respectively, wherein the firstand second air bladders are configured to inflate to an at-rest positionsubstantially filling an upper opening of the retaining area, andfurther wherein the first and second air bladders deflate to a retractedposition to allow access to the retaining area, wherein the first andsecond air bladders are configured to retain an item therebetween withinthe retaining area when the first and second air bladders are in theretracted position.
 18. The item holder of claim 17, including: a sensordisposed along the upper opening of the receiving well for sensing anitem being received in the receiving well, wherein the air bladdersdeflate to the retracted position as the item is received in thereceiving well.
 19. The item holder of claim 18, including: a controlleroperably coupled to the sensor and one or more valve assemblies, whereinthe controller initiates an inflation sequence of the by opening thevalve assemblies to inflate the first and second air bladders to theat-rest position when the sensor detects the item being removed from thereceiving well.
 20. The item holder of claim 17, including: a fillermaterial disposed within the first and second air bladders, the fillermaterial being operable between expanded and compressed conditions,wherein filler material is flexibly resilient and biased towards theexpanded condition, and further wherein the first and second airbladders inflate to the at-rest position as the filler material movesfrom the compressed condition to the expanded condition.